I wake up to the seagulls' cries and the bright morning light. At first, it seems like I'm in my room, but then I realize the bed is too comfortable, and the memories of yesterday flood back. I slowly open my eyes and sit up; I must have fallen asleep in my clothes, and I've slept like a log all night. I indulge in a long stretch and hearty yawn. There's no fjord view outside the window, just the vast expanse of the endless blue sea. A feeling gnaws at me that we're moving farther away from the city, not even planning to return. I need to talk with mom.

I step into the bathroom. Good Lord, it's bigger than my room! And the shower area is so... different. Curiosity gets the best of me. I shed my clothes and step inside. Multiple shower heads, buttons... this isn't a shower; it's a spacecraft!

I fiddle with everything, getting sprayed with scalding water a couple of times, then icy water until I finally decipher the right buttons. For a good five minutes, I just stand there under the hot streams, relishing it. Afterward, I dry myself off with a pristine white towel and get dressed. My hair is still wet, so I simply comb it back. It assumes an oddly sleek appearance. I stare at myself in the mirror and chuckle. Now I look just like Nolan. No, not really, it's far from that. My cheekbones aren't sharp. And what does that even mean?! I touch my cheekbones - they're normal. And my nose is perfectly average. And my eyes, are they green or brown? It's hard to tell. My hair is dark, with a persistent hint of red, and no comb can tame them. They're nearly down to my shoulders now, but I won't be cutting them. It's my stage image - let it flourish.

Oh, I almost forgot! I had a pierced ear. I did it myself, but it didn't turn out too great. Once, I accidentally hooked the earring with my jacket and tore the earlobe a bit. I had to take out the earring, and that hurt like hell. The hole's long sealed, only a small scar left.

I'm not as tall as Nolan, and I definitely don't possess those pecs. And my butt... I turn my back to the mirror. Who the hell cares?! Why am I even comparing myself to Nolan? Screw that!

I rake my wet hair with my fingers and storm out of the bathroom.

Having dressed, I leave the room and step into the hall where we had dinner yesterday. Breakfast is already in full swing, and everyone is gathered here. I take a seat next to Mel, muttering about how they could've given me a heads-up. She ignores my complaint. With a heavy sigh, I observe the scene. Mom is engaged in affectionate conversation with Richard, Todd is poking around his plate as if it's a puzzle, and Stacey, now sporting a sailor's hat, is energetically darting around the room. Oddly, Nolan is nowhere to be seen.

The breakfast spread consists of scrambled eggs and bacon, coffee, toast with jam and peanut butter. I fill my stomach and decide it's high time to pull my mother away from Richard.

"Excuse me," I interject, stepping closer.

"Oh, it's...," Richard seems a bit lost.

"Alex," my mother aids him.

"Alex, of course! How are you, young man? Enjoying everything?" Richard's face lights up with happiness.

"Yeah, sure, thanks. Can I have a word with my mom?" I reply.

Mom doesn't seem overly thrilled about it, but she steps aside with me. "What's the matter, Alex?" She asks a little sternly in her usual tone. Well, this is still my mother.

"When are we sailing back home?" I get straight to the point.

"Why do you want to go home?" Mom's expression shifts to one of surprise. "Don't you like it here?"

"Honestly? No, I don't," I admit.

"Everyone likes it, but he doesn't like it," mom throws her hands up in exasperation.

"Mom, you can spend all the time you want cooing with your Richard, but I thought we were going to dinner, not sailing around the world!"

"Alex!" Mom's voice takes on a stern edge. "We were invited here. They're taking care of us, but you always have to piss on everyone's parade! Do they need to call a helicopter fleet just to get you back home?"

I shake my head, no longer counting on understanding. "Just tell me how much longer this will continue."

"As long as it takes, young man."

"And where are we even headed?"

"It's called a cruise."

"I wish I knew that before I got on this boat! I would've packed an extra pair of underwear!"

I almost shout out this last sentence, and Nolan enters the room. Frustrated, I storm past him, almost shoving him with my shoulder, and head out to the corridor. Remembering the way to the deck, I ascend the stairs, ready to unleash my frustration into the wind and vent at the endless sea.

"Damn it! Fucking shit! Shit! Screw it all!" I rumble.

Nolan emerges onto the deck.

"Well, yeah! Just what I need!" I scream in anger, my emotions spilling out. But Nolan's expression is stony now, all traces of his earlier friendliness gone. He walks past me, stopping near the edge of the deck. Retrieving a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, he lights one. I instantly feel a burning desire to taste the smoke in my mouth, but I have no cigarettes, and Melinda seems to hate me now.

"No other decks available?" I snap irritably.

Nolan simply raises his hands in a gesture that implies he doesn't need my guidance on his own yacht. Clearly, he's had enough of my attitude. I don't want to get lost in the maze of corridors again, so I sit on the floor, letting my legs hang, propping my elbows on the metal bars. The sea, far from calming, mirrors my inner restlessness. Where are we headed? Who is this Richard? What does he want from my mom?

I rub my chin with my knuckles thoughtfully and don't notice at once that Nolan approached me. He sits on the floor next to me, leaning back on the railing. His gaze sweeps over my face, and he sighs, offering me an open pack of cigarettes. I eye the pack, then meet his gaze, pluck a cigarette, and hold it between my lips. Nolan leans over, shielding the flame from the wind with his palm, and lights the cigarette for me. His closeness is both annoying and oddly comforting.

"You don't have to babysit me," I mutter darkly. "I know I'm spoiling everyone's mood, but I just want to be back home. I hate secrets and lies."

"I doubt you'll ever get back home," Nolan says thoughtfully, shaking his head.

I open my eyes in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Nolan remains silent, riling up my frustration again. "See, this is exactly what I'm talking about! Why the secrecy? Do you think you can just drop a bomb like that and that's it?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Nolan asks, his gaze fixed on me.

"What?"

"Richard, my father, has been in love with your mother for a long time. Do you think he'll just back off? When he finally found her."

I stare at Nolan, utterly bewildered. "In love?.."

Nolan chuckles in reply.

"So it's all that serious?" I scratch my head, perplexed. "And where are we going, then?"

"If everything goes well... to the wedding. But - hush," Nolan puts a finger to his lips.

I struggle to digest the revelation Nolan just shared. I mean, I get it, there are some feelings going on between Richard and my mom, but... what's it got to do with me? Why should I be dragged to hell-knows-where? Love, wedding plans... I need my guitar and my songs!

Of course, I wanted to leave my small town, but not like this!

I suppose it's best not to approach my mother about this, but maybe I can find an ally among the other members of my family. Melinda is mad at me, Stacey is too young... Todd seems like a reasonable candidate.

I rise to my feet. Apparently, Nolan had been watching me this whole time while I was lost in my thoughts.

He looks at me with a questioning expression and stands up as well.

"Alright," I say vaguely. "Thanks for sharing."

I stride towards the hall where everyone was having breakfast a while ago, but now it's deserted. I turn around and nearly collide with Nolan, who's following me.

"Damn," I mutter, frowning at Nolan. "And what's Todd's room number?"

"Two," he replies.

"Okay," I say and quicken my pace along the corridor. Todd's room is next to mine. With Nolan no longer in tow, I knock on Todd's door.

"Yeah?" Todd's voice responds. I enter the room. Todd's seated on the bed in his shoes, sipping juice from a bottle. A music video plays on the TV.

"Listen," I start.

"I don't have any underwear for you," Todd deadpans. Did he make a joke?

"What? No, I'm not talking about that!" I retort, feeling slightly flustered. "I don't know how you're feeling about all this, but... I just want to get out of here."

Todd looks at me expectantly, but I'm pretty much done. After all, I did not come up with a plan...

"That's it," I add to make it clear.

He gazes at me for a while as if pondering something, then takes another sip of his juice and leans back on the pillow, changing the TV channel.

"Seriously, Todd," I move closer. "I have no clue how to handle this alone. Mom's glued to Richard," I lower my voice, "he's planning to propose to her. And I just want to go back to my guitar! Sure, it's all fancy and luxurious here, and the food's good, but... I never wanted any of this! And this Nolan guy is just strange," I murmur, lowering my voice even further. "He's got a gun in his belt."

For a brief moment, Todd's eyebrows furrow, and his expression turns serious. "Why'd you think I don't like it here?" he questions.

"I don't know, maybe you do? Maybe you don't? How am I supposed to know?" I exclaim. "Your face looks the same all the time!"

I realize I've crossed a line when Todd's face shifts to a clearly angry one.

"Get out," he commands, pointing to the door.

"Todd, I..." I start.

"Out!" he raises his voice, and my instincts drive me quickly to the door. I step into the corridor and spot Melinda.

"Mel!" I hurry towards her, but she shoots me a scornful glance and walks away. Left standing alone in the hallway, I suddenly notice Nolan leaning against the wall at the far end. Damn... maybe Stacey is not so young for an ally?..

Who am I kidding... I make my way over to Nolan. He regards me with what seems like thinly veiled satisfaction.

"You seem like you might have a bit of sense," I begin.

"Really? I'm honored!" he retorts with a smirk.

"I... need your help," I force the words out.

"With what?" Nolan inquires, his expression more serious.

"I need to get out of here."

"You hate it that much? Why are you so eager to leave? You've got a private room with a bathroom, food to your heart's content, a swimming pool, a cinema, billiards," Nolan reels off, almost like he's selling a cruise ticket. "And if it's so crucial, I can get you underwear, too!" he adds with a grin. "Can't you just try to enjoy it even a little?"

Nolan seems genuinely earnest, and I can't help but feel a bit embarrassed about my sour mood. Maybe he's right; I should probably adopt a more positive outlook.

"Fine... whatever... then, can you show me around?" I mutter, glancing at him.

Nolan returns my gaze with a welcoming smile. "Sure thing! Let's go!"